The Exceed Designs AVAIR M390 is the ultimate manifestation of high-end, minimalist everyday carry. Engineered over two years and through ten meticulous prototype phases, this premium frame lock flipper seamlessly merges clean architectural lines with hardworking materials. Boasting authentic Austrian Böhler M390 Microclean super-steel paired with contoured, fully skeletonized Grade 5 Titanium scales, the AVAIR offers effortless, buttery deployment on caged ceramic bearings in a lightweight footprint. It is a striking pocket powerhouse designed to exceed expectations.
The 3.125-inch blade is forged from authentic Böhler M390 MICROCLEAN stainless steel, delivering elite edge retention, wear resistance, and extreme corrosion defense. This premium two-tone contrast edition pairs a stealthy, dark-coated handle with a striking, highly functional silver blade. Its advanced blade geometry features a specialized Straight Grind Tip (SGT)—utilizing a clean, uniform straight grind across the entire primary cutting edge up through the tip to maximize cutting consistency, linear slicing efficiency, and straightforward sharpening. This high-performance steel is finished in a polished stonewash that easily hides cosmetic wear from daily tasks while offering a stunning visual counterpoint to the blacked-out frame.
The 4.25-inch closed handle is constructed from premium 3D-contoured 6Al-4V Grade 5 titanium. This elite alpha-beta alloy blends roughly 90% pure titanium with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, delivering significantly higher structural hardness and tensile strength than standard, softer grades of commercial titanium. These convexed, ergonomic scales feature deep internal pocketing to reduce total weight to an agile 3.10 ounces. The presentation side utilizes a hidden show-side architecture with zero visible body screws for a seamless face, enhanced by an intricate Micro-Slash milled texture and matching tactical Jet-Black PVD finish. The blade fires smoothly on a brass-caged ceramic bearing pivot and locks via a rock-solid frame lock with a hardened steel insert. Every knife includes a secondary, oversized (+0.01mm) insert to adjust lockup geometry after a lifetime of deployment easily. Carry options are fully ambidextrous thanks to a 3D milled titanium deep-carry pocket clip that sits flush inside machined recesses on either side.
Key Benefits
- Austrian Böhler M390 Super-Steel: Delivers elite edge retention, wear resistance, and extreme corrosion defense.
- Stunning Two-Tone Contrast: Pairs a sleek silver-finished blade with a tactical black PVD frame for an elegant, high-contrast look.
- Straight Grind Tip (SGT): Features a clean, uniform primary grind up to the tip for consistent cutting performance and easy maintenance.
- 6Al-4V Grade 5 Titanium (Ti): Premium alpha-beta alloy provides maximum structural integrity, scale rigidity, and pocket durability.
- Hidden Show-Side Architecture: Zero visible body screws on the presentation scale create a clean, unbroken face.
- Lifetime-Adjustable Lock System: Hardened steel lockbar insert comes paired with a spare +0.01mm oversized insert to easily adjust lockup geometry down the road.
- Ambidextrous Deep-Carry Clip: Milled titanium pocket clip fits flush into machined pockets on either side for left- or right-handed tip-up carry.
The Exceed Designs AVAIR M390 Frame Lock Flipper features a 3.125-inch Böhler M390 stainless steel drop point blade with a Straight Grind Tip (SGT) and a polished stonewash silver finish. Built on a hidden-screw, show-side architecture, the 6Al-4V Grade 5 titanium handle measures 4.25 inches closed, creating an overall open length of 7.38 inches. The scales feature ergonomic Micro-Slash milling and a durable Jet-Black PVD finish. Running on brass-caged ceramic bearings, the blade deploys via a snappy flipper tab and locks tight with a hardened steel insert frame lock. It comes complete with a reversible milled titanium deep-carry clip, a custom PRO S2 Torx tool, and an oversized spare lockbar insert, weighing in at an agile 3.10 ounces.
Secure your premium Exceed Designs gear from Smoky Mountain Knife Works, a Tennessee landmark and the world's largest knife store. Every year, over 1.5 million people visit our legendary showroom in the Great Smoky Mountains to experience the premium selection and expertise that make us the world’s premier destination for cutting-edge EDC gear and traditional cutlery.
